Rare bird alert: Owls are returning to NH

Sightings are coming in across the state

UPDATED 12:00 AM EDT Mar 11, 2015

ASHLAND, N.H. —"WHO COOKS FOR YOU, WHO?"

That was the familiar question I heard being hooted in the night air near Ashland, this week.

"WHO?"

As I walked my dog for the final time of the day, I knew I was hearing the inimitable barred owl, who has been away for the winter. It was another true sign of spring.

Sightings or voices of owls that breed in New Hampshire were being heard across the state this past week including eastern screech owls in Hollis, Nashua, and Rye; northern saw-whet owls in Merrimack and Hancock, barred owls in Ashland and Orford, and several great horned owls from multiple locations.

Owls are busy courting and starting to nest during this time of the year. All of those owls breed in the Granite State.

The sightings were part of New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for Monday, March 9.

A juvenile red-headed woodpecker was discovered near the public boat launch at Adams Point in Durham in November and was last reported on March 8.

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